Stop Chasing Submissions: Train for the IBJJF Points to Win More Matches

You think jiu-jitsu is about submissions. Wrong. Most matches are won on points, not taps. At the highest level of the IBJJF, the rulebook's scoring system—not the flashy finish—determines who advances and who goes home. If you're training purely for the tap, you're leaving wins on the table. I'm not saying submissions don't matter; I'm saying you need to train with the points in mind, because the points are what the referee counts, and the points are what decide the match when nobody taps.

This guide is for the competitor who wants to win under IBJJF rules. Whether you're a white belt or a brown belt, the same logic applies: understand how points are awarded, then build your game around them. I'm going to walk you through five concrete steps to adjust your training, based on the actual rules. No fluff—just what works.

1. Know the Score: It's Not Just About Taps

First, internalize the point values. A takedown scores 2 points, a sweep scores 2, and knee-on-belly scores 2. A guard pass scores 3, and mount or back control scores 4 each. These aren't arbitrary; they're the currency of the match. Notice that a guard pass plus mount accumulates to 7 points (IBJJF). That's a big lead. Train to hit these positions, not just to submit. When you're rolling in the gym, start thinking: “Did I pass the guard? Did I secure mount?” Not just “Did I get the tap?”

Here's a concrete example: You're a blue belt, and you've been training for six months. You're rolling with a purple belt. You hit a sweep from guard, but you immediately try to jump to an armbar and lose the position. You've thrown away 2 points. Instead, if you had stabilized the sweep and then passed to mount, you'd have 7 points—a huge lead that the purple belt would have to work hard to overcome. Train to chain positions, not just submissions.

2. Practice the Pass-and-Mount Sequence

The most efficient way to rack up points is to pass the guard (3 points) and then mount (4 points). That's 7 points in one sequence. But you can't just pass the guard and expect mount to happen; you need to drill the transition. In the IBJJF, points are awarded only when you stabilize the position for about 3 seconds (IBJJF). So train to hold each position before moving to the next. Your goal in practice should be to pass, stabilize, then mount, stabilize, then attack the submission. If the submission doesn't come, you still have the points.

3. Use Sweeps to Score from the Bottom

When you're on the bottom, don't just defend—sweep. A sweep is a move from guard that reverses the position so you end up on top (BJJ terminology). It scores 2 points, but more importantly, it puts you in a position to pass and mount for even more points. In your training, drill sweeps from closed guard, half guard, and open guard. But don't just sweep and then give up the position; immediately look to pass. The IBJJF gives you points for the sweep, and then you're in a dominant position. This is how you win matches from the bottom.

4. Train for the Time Limits

Match duration matters. Under IBJJF rules, a white belt match lasts 5 minutes, blue 6, purple 7, brown 8, black 10 (IBJJF). That's not a lot of time. So you need to be efficient. If you're a white belt, you have 5 minutes to score. Don't waste time on slow, methodical guard play. Train to be explosive and score early. If you're a purple belt, you have 7 minutes—still not much. But the principle stays the same: score points, then manage the lead. In practice, time your rounds to match your belt's official duration. If you're a blue belt, do 6-minute rounds. This conditions you to work within the clock.

5. Don't Rely on Submissions—but Don't Neglect Them Either

Submissions are still important. But they're the icing on the cake, not the cake itself. In the IBJJF, if the score is tied, advantages are used as a tiebreaker, then penalties, then referee decision (IBJJF). So a submission is a sure win, but it's risky. If you go for a submission and fail, you might lose position and points. Train submissions as a reward for good position, not as a primary strategy. For example, from mount, you can attack the armbar or triangle. But if you don't get the tap, you still have 4 points. In training, start every roll with the goal to pass, then mount, then submit. If the submission fails, you still have the points.

What Can Go Wrong

Here's the warning: if you become too focused on points, you might start stalling. The IBJJF defines stalling as not pursuing positional progression, and you have 20 seconds to do something before a penalty (IBJJF). Accumulate four penalties and you're disqualified (IBJJF). So you can't just sit in mount and do nothing. You have to keep working. The points are a reward for action, not a shield for inaction. Train to be active from every position.

Quick tip: When you have a points lead, don't stop attacking. Keep moving to improve your position or go for the submission. Stalling is a fast way to lose a lead.

Comparison: Points vs. Submissions

Takeaway: Train to score points. Submissions are a bonus. When you step on the mat, your first goal is to pass, then mount, then submit. That's how you rack up 7 points and win matches. Don't be the guy who chases the armbar and loses the position. Be the guy who calmly passes, mounts, and then finishes. That's jiu-jitsu that wins.

Sources

• IBJJF - https://ibjjf.com
• BJJ historical record - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_jiu-jitsu
• BJJ terminology - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_jiu-jitsu